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Paul A.

Paul A.

Joined on 09/28/07

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Product Reviews
product reviews
  • 18
Most Favorable Review

Linux Support

Intel EXPI9301CTBLK Network Adapter 10/100/1000Mbps PCI-Express 1 x RJ45
Intel EXPI9301CTBLK Network Adapter 10/100/1000Mbps PCI-Express 1 x RJ45

Pros: With my latest motherboard/CPU upgrade, it finally came time to upgrade to a PCI-e NIC. This was the only card I considered. I've had driver support through several distro upgrades using my old Intel PCI NIC. I'm currently running Ubuntu 13.04. Intel continues to provide great support for linux with this new card, using the e1000e driver without issue.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: Sad to see so few PCI slots on new motherboards.

2017 Best Budget Smartphone

Moto G5 Plus (5th Gen), 5.2 Inches, FHD IPS, 2GB RAM, 32 GB Storage, Unlocked Cell Phone, US Warranty, Lunar Grey (01110NARTL)
Moto G5 Plus (5th Gen), 5.2 Inches, FHD IPS, 2GB RAM, 32 GB Storage, Unlocked Cell Phone, US Warranty, Lunar Grey (01110NARTL)

Pros: Phone works great. I use it daily for work. I needed a phone that would keep a charge all day (it really does), work on any US network, and had as close as possible to stock Android (no bloatware or heavy skin). Promised update to Android Oreo. Stays in Spigen case in my pocket most of the day, no scratches yet. I must use "chop for flashlight" 20x a day. FM Radio and headphone jack...Yes!

Cons: Inserting the SIM card is a challenge - don't just rely on enclosed instruction sheet. A quick web search helped me get SIM seated into tray and installed properly. The enclosed instructions could be better. Wishes: NFC and USB-C charging. I had to move backward from USB-C and get new charger for my truck. Come on Lenovo. It would be awesome if it was fully waterproof (my work environment especially), but I understand at this price.

Overall Review: Currently on T-Mobile unlimited plan. VoLTE and Wifi calling work perfectly on Moto G5 Plus w/ T-Mobile. It's got Band 12! I didn't know how much I'd use Wifi calling until buying this phone. In and out of metal warehouse during day I never miss/drop calls anymore. I think I made the best decision at the time (early 2017). If buying today (Dec 2017), I'd probably now weigh the value of this phone vs. unlocked Moto X4 at its higher price.

12/21/2017

Good price, works great

TP-LINK TL-WN881ND Wireless N300 PCI Express Adapter, 300 Mbps, w/ WPS Button, IEEE 802.1b/g/n, 64 / 128-bit WEP, WPA / WPA2, Plug & Play in Windows
TP-LINK TL-WN881ND Wireless N300 PCI Express Adapter, 300 Mbps, w/ WPS Button, IEEE 802.1b/g/n, 64 / 128-bit WEP, WPA / WPA2, Plug & Play in Windows

Pros: Works perfectly. I installed this Atheros-based adapter in an Ubuntu 14.04 LTS desktop. Connected easily - uses the ath9k kernel driver. Speed seems fine. No dropped connections or problems to note.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: Didn't use, but it comes with low profile bracket and mini-CD. I bought this adapter for the price and several reviews mentioning it worked well with Linux. I would definitely buy again.

Quality Motherboard, Good Price

GIGABYTE GA-B85M-D3H LGA 1150 Intel B85 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
GIGABYTE GA-B85M-D3H LGA 1150 Intel B85 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

Pros: Built two Linux workstations with this board. No problems. Onboard graphics, sound, or ethernet all detected and working correctly. Shipped with F8 BIOS. Easily updated to F9 with Q-flash utility. Good features include all-solid caps, four memory slots, metal CPU backplate, two PCI-e and two PCI slots, large heatsinks on B85 chipset and near processor/video caps, and three 4-pin fan headers.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: No issues with Ubuntu 13.10. Used Crucial Sport DDR3-1333. Curious, so I loaded early build of Ubuntu 14.04 LTS on one build using 120gb SSD and i3 4330. Stable and quiet. I'm happy with this purchase.

Good power choice

Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply
Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply

Pros: Moved up to Ivy Bridge from Pentium Dual Core last summer in my old Sonata case. The new 1155 Gigabyte MB I was set on featured a 8-pin(4+4) CPU power connector. I didn't want to just use the 4-pin from my old, but still kicking SU-380, or an adapter, so I shopped around. This PSU had everything I wanted: good price, active PFC, 8-pin CPU power, double ball-bearing fan, and quality name.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: It runs cool and has been quietly working nonstop (minus Hurricane Isaac) for 6+ months without issue. Fully sleeved cables look great and made tucking excess neatly away easy. I've been very pleased with this purchase.

Quality Drive

ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS
ASUS 24X DVD Burner - Bulk 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM Black SATA Model DRW-24B1ST/BLK/B/AS

Pros: Great price. Works great. Plays and burns everything I've tried. Would buy again.

Cons: None.

Overall Review: Tool-less rails fit, drive slid easily into front, top slot of my Antec Sonata II, and sits flush. Plugged cables into Gigabyte board - WD HD in SATA0 and the ASUS DVD-RW in SATA1. Recognized in BIOS immediately, ID'd and working perfectly with Ubuntu 12.04.